NCAA Div 1 Women: Cal Takes Down Washington State 170.5-49.5

BERKELEY, Calif, October 20. THE University of California women’s' swimming team took advantage of a sunny October day in Berkeley, defeating Washington State, 170.5-49.5, Saturday, Oct. 18 at Spieker Aquatics Complex. The Golden Bears won all 14 events, and swept the first through third places in eight events.

"The girls did a very nice job today," said Cal head coach Teri McKeever. "It was a nice, sunny afternoon, we had a great crowd and the girls were great at keeping the energy up.

Freshman Erin Reilly was impressive in the Bears' first home meet of the season. In her Berkeley debut, Reilly led Cal with three individual wins and also helped the Bears' 200-meter freestyle relay to a victory, as well. Reilly won the 800m free (8:44.10), 200m butterfly (2:15.81) and 400m free (4:16.59).

Due to the fact that it is an Olympic year, with the 2004 Athens Olympics next summer, several meets this season will be competed in short course meters, including the 2004 NCAA Championships.

"Competing the meet in 25 meters is a nice opportunity to prepare for the NCAA Championships," said McKeever. "And because it presents a very different experience for most swimmers to swim in meters, in provides more of a pure racing atmosphere.

Senior Danielle Becks also performed well against the Cougars. Becks captured both the 50 (26.49) and 100m free (57.53) events. Becks also touched the wall in second-place in the 200m free (2:04.44) race.

Other Bears that garnered wins on the day included junior Lauren Medina in the 200m free (2:02.48), freshman Nadia Staubitz in the 100m backstroke (1:05.74), freshman Annie Babicz in the 100m breaststroke (1:11.09), sophomore Helen Silver in the 200m back (2:17.73), junior Marcelle Miller in the 200 breast (2:34.95), senior Natalie Griffith in the 100m butterfly (1:03.03) and freshman Kate Tiedeman in the 400m individual medley (4:51.67).

Cal also won both of the day's relays,as the team of Silver, Griffith, Babicz and senior Micha Burden won the 400m medley relay (4:35.15), while Reilly, sophmore Ashley Chandler, Babicz and Medina won the 200m free relay (1:49.13). Several of these swimmers also turned in runner-up or third-place finishes in other events. Babicz turned in a runner-up finish in the 100m fly (1:03.37), while Griffith finished second in the 200m fly (2:18.38). Tiedeman took second-place in the 800m free (8:46.34) and third in the 400m free (4:18.72). Miller finished third in the100m breast (1:13.12) and Staubitz finished third in the 200m back (2:23.36).

In eight of the day's events – the 400m medley relay, 800m free, 200m fly, 50m free, 200m back, 400m free, 100m fly and 200m free relay – the Bears finished in the first through third places. Other notable Cal swimmers on the day included junior Keiko Amano who notched two runner-up finishes in the 50 (26.94) and 100m free (58.26). Junior Amy Ng also turned in two runner-up finishes in the 100m back (1:05.96) and 400m IM (4:55.79).

Sophomore Ashley Chandler finished second in the 400m free (4:18.47) and third in the 800m free (9:07.02), while sophomore Lisa Morelli touched the wall in second place in the 200m back(2:20.12) and posted third-place finishes in the 200m fly (2:20.28) and 400 IM (5:00.43).